Sinclair, Nexstar agree spectrum share

In preparation for the approval of next-generation broadcast standard ATSC 3.0 by the Federal Communications Commission, as well as the implementation of national television station ‘repacking’, Sinclair Broadcast Group and Nexstar Media Group have reached a tentative agreement on principles to coordinate the transition of the over-the-air delivery of ATSC 3.0 ‘NextGen’ television services in 97 television markets.

The transition is a complicated process requiring coordination and cooperation between in-market television broadcasters. The tentative agreement – made pursuant to Companies’ previously announced Spectrum Consortium that promotes spectrum aggregation, innovation and monetisation and enhance their abilities to compete in the wireless data transmission sector – includes 43 markets where both Companies own a television station, and a plan to spearhead the transition for shared NextGen services in the 54 markets where only one of the Companies owns or operates stations.

Once the ATSC 3.0 standard is approved by the FCC, the Spectrum Consortium expects that television stations will be permitted to enter into Channel Sharing Agreements where existing ATSC 1.0 as well as Next Gen ATSC 3.0 will be simulcast on different stations’ spectrum. The agreements between Sinclair and Nexstar will provide that the Companies share their spectrum within their markets, with some spectrum remaining as 1.0 and other spectrum migrated to ATSC 3.0 enabled NextGen services. The FCC’s recent broadcast spectrum auction and mandated repack of remaining broadcast television stations has complicated the process of transitioning to the new technology by eliminating much of the spectrum that was dedicated to free over the air broadcasting. As such, the Spectrum Consortium believes that agreed upon coordination principles are critical to ensuring that a transition to the upgraded technology can occur.

“We look forward to working with Nexstar to enable new and innovative services that add value to the viewers we serve, our advertising clients and our broadcast assets. Sinclair and Nexstar are leading the broadcast industry in this critical technology upgrade and we are confident that through our coordination and mutual efforts we can navigate this transition together,” said Chris Ripley, President and CEO of Sinclair.

“Our collaboration with Sinclair demonstrates Nexstar’s commitment to making ‘NextGen’ television a reality for the communities and businesses we serve across America. Our research and analysis indicates that this market-based solution to the transition is a win for broadcasters and for television viewers who will soon have access to the enhanced over-the-air services that this new technology can bring, which will enable us to remain highly competitive in today’s multi-platform environment,” said Perry Sook, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Nexstar.

Specific market roll-out schedules and sharing arrangements are in development in anticipation of the FCC approval of the new ATSC 3.0 standard by the fourth quarter of 2017.